Free A True and Perfect Knight by Rue Allyn Page A

riverbank and the screen of trees there.
    She sighed at his abrupt manner and doubled her strides to match his long ones. She had been on her best behavior since he had refused to ride with her. She had hoped that he might notice how cooperative and uncomplaining she had been with all his men. She had asked each man for aid or advice when she needed none. She had no desire to put the party at risk as Sir Haven claimed she would if she did not curb her independence.
    “You must stop trying to enchant my men.” He halted to hold back a branch so she could pass to where the bank broadened again.
    Upset by this unjust accusation, Gennie brushed past him, hoping he would not notice the flush of fury in her face. “Wh…why…yo…” She stuttered, trying to remain composed. She would not let his idiotic stubbornness make her lose her temper again.
    “Surely you must see why?”
    His words brought her to a halt. He thought she wanted an explanation of his request. In order to do so she would have to have tried to enchant his men . Her eyes crossed, and her breath choked in her throat.
    How could the man be so wrongheaded? Charming his men, any man, was the last thing Gennie wanted. Being married to Roger had taught her that men were generally more trouble than they were worth. Why could not de Sessions see that all she wanted was a safe haven for her son? “You are mistaken, Sir Haven.”
    “So you do understand; good. We can ill afford more accidents like the one that befell Sutherland’s horse.”
    Gennie gritted her teeth, pursed her lips and turned to face him. She held a stiff rein on the temper that threatened to run rampant at his words. “No, sir. I do not understand at all. What causes you to believe that I attempt to enchant your men? Have I not curbed my independent ways, as you requested? Have I not sought out your men to speed our making and breaking of camp each day? Have I not kept my eyes downcast, my words gentle and my manner seemly?”
    “That is just what you have done.” He took a step forward. “Such gentle pleading from a woman makes a man soft-brained; he loses concentration. My men are so distracted by attending to your needs that they fail to attend to their duty.”
    “Let me be certain of what you mean, sir.” Her hands went to her hips as temper began to override her control. “My manner with your men disturbs you, and therefore you would have me behave in an unseemly fashion.”
    “Yes.” His brow wrinkled. “No. That is, uh…”
    “I think it is not your men who’ve become soft-brained. Your men have been thoughtful of the needs of my family and servants. They have shown naught but respect and kind consideration for my son and my sister-in-law. I know only one person who is dissatisfied with my actions. And that is you, Sir Addlelpate. From the day we met, you have treated me as if I were evil incarnate. And despite some small consideration for my person, you alone behave with brainless stupidity around me. If you think for one minute that I—”
    “What I think is that you must needs be shown how a man behaves when a woman causes him to lose his mind.”
    On those words he closed his arms about her. Her feet left the ground. While she was busy trying to grasp his shoulders for balance, he kissed her. Gennie forgot to worry about having both feet in the air, so unexpected was the soft press of his lips against hers. She forgot to clutch at his shoulders.
    Instead, she tunneled her hands into the warm, dark silk at his nape. She nearly forgot to breathe until the gentle scrape of his teeth on her lower lip caused her to open her mouth in surprise and inhale. Then his hot velvet tongue was in her mouth, succulent with his personal flavor and seeking her own, until he teased her into response.
    A rapid beat filled her ears. Her entire body vibrated to that elemental rhythm. She inhaled more deeply. His masculine scent intensified her need. She pressed herself against him and felt